Last.



Patented Aug. 26, |902.

J. D. WINCHESTER.

L A S 1'. (Application med Sept. 13, 1901.

(No Model.)

- /N V E N TOR fa/lees 0. him cizesier Wl TNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES D. WIIYOHESTER, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS.

LAST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,998, dated August 26, 1902.

Application filed September 13,1901. Serial No. 75,268. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES D. WINCHESTER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Last, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a certain novel construction by which a last may be more readily disconnected from a shoe, thus avoiding the possibility'of tearing or disturbing the shape of the shoe in the operation'of removing the last.

This specification is the specific description of one form of the invention, while the claim is a definition of the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both views.

Figure 1 is a side view.of the invention; and Fig. 2 is a similar view with parts broken away, illustrating the last in its shortened adjustment.

(1. indicates the front part of the last, and b the rear part or heel. These parts a and b are formed with two diagonally-disposed surfaces, designated a and b, respectively, such surfaces engaging each other, so that one part may slide on the other. This sliding movement is limited by vertical shoulders a and 17*, formed, respectively, on the parts a and b. By sliding the section b downward in the position shown in Fig. 1 the last is extended, and by sliding this section b upward, as in Fig. 2, the last is shortened and may be readily removed from the shoe. For slidably connecting the two parts together I provide a slotted plate 0, fastened to the section a at the inclined surface a thereof. The upper end of this plate is projected into a notch in the section a, and the lower end is fastened by a screw which is so located that it may be reached by a screw-driver when the section bis raised. Engaged with this plate are the heads of screws (1, fastened to the section b.

To assemble the parts of the last, the screws cl are engaged with the plate 0 and fastened to the section I). Then the plate 0 is engaged with and fastened to the section a. This section ais grooved out under the plate 0 to receive the heads of the screws (1. This holds the sections 06 and b slidably together. A latch is provided to hold the sections extended, as in Fig. 1, and this latch comprises a shank 6, extending vertically-i. e., perpendicular to the direction of the length of the lastand held by any suitable means-for example, the screw e to turn in the section b. This shank carries an essentially horizontally disposed brace or arm e which, owing to the arrangement provided, is held to swing laterally into and out of engagement with the section a. Preferably the parts e and e are formed of an integral rod of metal bent into the requisite shape.

f indicates a socket-piece fastened to the section a in position to be engaged by the end of the brace or arm 6 when said brace or arm is active. By swinging the arm or brace e laterally across the space or opening betweenthe sections of the last and engaging the brace or arm with the socket-piece the two sections of the last may be held apart. To contract the last, the brace or arm 6 should be thrown laterally. This permits the section b to be moved on the section a into the position shown in Fig. 2.

Now it will be seen that with a last of this construction when the lastis distended within the shoe it may be locked in this position as long as desired, and when the last is to be removed the simple manipulation of the latch will permit the section b to slide up freely on the section a. This shortens the last and enables it to be removed easily and without in any way disturbing the shoe.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent A last, having two sections with diagonal surfaces slidably engaged together, for the purpose specified, one section being grooved at its inclined surface, a slotted plate arranged over the groove, the upper end of the plate being projected into a notch in said section, a fastening device extending through the lower end of the plate and into said section, and screws fastened to the other section of the last and slidably fittingin the slot of the plate, the heads of the screws being located in the groove of the first-named last-section.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES D. WINCHESTER.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL H. STONE, GEORGIE A. STONE. 

